Longitudinal assessments of strength and dynamic balance from pre-injury baseline to 3 and 4 months after labrum repairs in collegiate athletes

ABSTRACT

Background

There is a lack of quantitative assessments of athletes’ functional strength and dynamic balance following labrum repairs.

Purpose

To compare the upper extremity strength and dynamic balance among pre-injury baseline and approximately 3 and 4 months after labrum surgeries in collegiate athletes to identify critical values to inform rehabilitation.

Methods

Fifteen male and one female collegiate athletes between 18 and 22 years old were tested at pre-injury baseline (n = 14) and 2.7 (n = 16) and 3.8 months (n = 12) after labrum surgeries. Strength was assessed using the peak forces produced in a maximal push-up test. Dynamic balance was assessed using the reaching distances in a reaching test.

Results

The injured side’s peak forces significantly decreased from the baseline to the 3-month post-surgery and then significantly increased between the 3-month and 4-month post-surgery assessments but remained significantly less at the 4-month post-surgery compared to the baseline (p ≤ 0.024; Cohen’s d_z ≥ 0.75). Peak force asymmetries were greater at the 3-month and 4-month post-surgery assessments than the baseline (p ≤ 0.005; Cohen’s d_z ≥ 1.02).

Conclusion

With a relatively small sample size, the results support the use of objective functional assessments for rehabilitation and return-to-play decisions among collegiate athletes following labrum repairs.

KEYWORDS:

• SLAP
• bankart
• labrum surgery
• force
• range of motion

Declaration of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC); National Institute of General Medical Sciences [P20GM103432]; National Science Foundation [1933409].